Morning sunlight spilled through the tall windows, painting the house in gold. It should have been warm, but to Xiamen, it felt colder than ever.
She helped her son into his small jacket. "Stay inside today, okay?" she whispered. "Don't wander. Promise me."
He nodded sleepily, trusting her without question. That trust hurt more than she could explain.
Just as she opened the door to leave for the garden, she nearly collided with Emma. The cousin was dressed perfectly, her perfume heavy enough to fill the entire hallway.
"Oh," Emma said sweetly. "Early morning walks? How… peaceful of you."
Her eyes glided past Xiamen, sharp as glass. "You know, it's strange. Hong Yi doesn't usually allow guests in this wing. But I suppose… you're a special case."
Xiamen smiled faintly, refusing to be baited. "Only for a short while."
Emma tilted her head, smile tightening. "That's what you said five years ago too, isn't it?"
Before Xiamen could reply, footsteps echoed from the staircase — Hong Yi, his usual calm wrapped tightly around him like armor.
He nodded politely to both women, but his gaze lingered a fraction too long on Xiamen.
"Breakfast," he said shortly. "Let's go."
Emma slid her arm around his, too quickly, too familiar. "I already had the chef prepare something special. Come, I'll show you."
Xiamen froze, every muscle tense, as Hong Yi hesitated. For a moment — just a second — his eyes met hers again. She tried to look away first, but failed. There was a quiet storm behind his gaze.
He turned without a word, letting Emma lead him away.
By noon, the rumors had already begun. Servants whispered in corners. Some said the ex-wife had returned to beg forgiveness. Shameless ,
Only if they know why I come — and yet, neither could be spoken aloud.
Xiamen spent the afternoon walking through the garden, her mind a battlefield of memories.
Then she saw him again — sitting on the bench the same one where she had first saw him .
"Why are you avoiding me?" he asked quietly, when she tried to turn away.
"I'm not," she lied.
"You are," he said. "Every time I walk into a room, you leave. Every time I try to speak, you change the subject. it feels like you forget everything .
Her eyes widened. "forget you? I—Hong Yi, that's not why I—"
"Then why?" he demanded, voice rising. "Why , after five years? you seem happily living with your family but I...
She flinched. He didn't know how close to the truth that was.
"I had my reasons," she whispered. "You wouldn't understand."
He laughed bitterly. "Try me."
She opened her mouth — but before she could speak, Emma's voice rang out behind them.
"Hong Yi! There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
She approached quickly, holding a phone in her hand. "The board is waiting. And…"
Her gaze slid to Xiamen, lips curling faintly. "You really shouldn't be here when we're discussing family matters."
Xiamen took a slow step back, forcing calm. "You're right," she said softly. "I shouldn't."
She turned away, her heart breaking with every step.
Hong Yi watched her go — torn between pride, confusion, and something dangerously close to regret.
When she disappeared into the house, he clenched his fists. "What did you tell her?" he asked Emma quietly.
"Only the truth," she said innocently. "That she shouldn't get too comfortable here. You're mine now, Hong Yi. Everyone knows that."
He said nothing. But his silence wasn't agreement — it was turmoil.
That night, as rain began to fall, Xiamen stood by her window, watching lightning flash across the sky. Her son stirred in his sleep, murmuring softly.
She whispered, "I thought I could stay invisible. But maybe… I was wrong."
Because she could feel it — the storm between her and Hong Yi was only beginning.
And this time, no amount of running would keep the truth from breaking free.